US4327929A - Ride-on tricycle - Google Patents

Ride-on tricycle Download PDF

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Publication number
US4327929A
US4327929A US06/012,527 US1252779A US4327929A US 4327929 A US4327929 A US 4327929A US 1252779 A US1252779 A US 1252779A US 4327929 A US4327929 A US 4327929A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
seat
frame
pair
tricycle
fork
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US06/012,527
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
John M. Melzian
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Mattel Inc
Original Assignee
Mattel Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Mattel Inc filed Critical Mattel Inc
Priority to US06/012,527 priority Critical patent/US4327929A/en
Priority to AU54680/80A priority patent/AU5468080A/en
Priority to IT19352/80A priority patent/IT1130876B/it
Priority to IT8020556U priority patent/IT8020556V0/it
Priority to BR8000446A priority patent/BR8000446A/pt
Priority to CA345,568A priority patent/CA1127199A/en
Priority to DE19803005312 priority patent/DE3005312A1/de
Priority to DE19808003783U priority patent/DE8003783U1/de
Priority to ES488574A priority patent/ES488574A1/es
Priority to JP1675080A priority patent/JPS55114673A/ja
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US4327929A publication Critical patent/US4327929A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDECARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
    • B62K9/00—Children's cycles
    • B62K9/02—Tricycles

Definitions

  • This invention relates to toys and, more particularly, to ride-on tricycle toys.
  • tricycles There have been many tricycles devised over the years. Most of these tricycles perform the normal function of moving when pedaled and turning on a radius determined by manipulation of the handlebars controlling the front wheel. Such tricycles educate the motor responses of the child and offer some excitement. However, most prior art tricycles have a high center of gravity and are, consequently, dangerous to drive at more than moderate speeds. Recently, tricycles having a lower center of gravity have been devised and are to be found on the market. Such tricycles are easier to turn at higher speeds and offer increased excitement. They do not, however, offer maximum safety protection for a child. Such tricycles are often quite expensive and insufficiently durable.
  • a tricycle which has an inverted U-shaped frame member supporting a front wheel at its center and a pair of caster-mounted rear wheels, one at each opening end of the U-shaped member.
  • a seat is suspended across the opening ends of the U-shaped member in such a position that a child riding the tricycle is enclosed within the boundaries of the U-shaped member.
  • the seat is positioned below the frame and supports the child just off the ground at the extreme rear of the tricycle so that maximum stability is provided.
  • the caster wheels at the rear of the U-shaped member provide an exciting and rapid turn characteristic so that the vehicle may be easily put into 360° turns.
  • the width of the U-shape member and its position surrounding the child provide extraordinary protection for a child should, in any way, the vehicle be caused to topple or run into an obstacle.
  • FIG. 1 is a side view of a toy tricycle constructed in accordance with this invention
  • FIG. 2 is a rear view of the toy tricycle shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of a detail of the connection of the seat and caster wheel to the U-shaped frame member of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
  • FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional rear view of a detail of the connection of the seat and the caster wheel to the U-shaped frame member of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a seat used in the invention of FIGS. 1 and 2;
  • FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the structure of the U-shaped frame member where the fork and handlebars of the front wheel are attached.
  • the tricycle 10 includes a generally U-shaped frame member 12 which supports a pair of handlebars 14 having grips 16 for changing the direction of a fork 18.
  • the fork 18 supports a wheel 20 which is driven in a conventional manner by a pair of pedals 22. Obviously, pressure applied to the grips 16 will turn the handlebars 14 and the attached fork 18 thereby causing the wheel 20 to change course and steer the tricycle 10. Furthermore, operation of the pedals 22 by pressure thereupon will cause the wheel 20 to rotate and drive and tricycle 10 forward or backward depending on the direction of the pressure.
  • FIG. 6 which is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the lines 6--6 in FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment in which the U-shaped frame member 12 is comprised of two sections. These sections 11 and 13 are bolted together at interlocking flanges to provide the rigidity of a one-piece frame.
  • the dimensions of frame 12 provide substantial protection for a child. These dimensions also enhance the structural integrity of the tricycle 10 thereby assuring that it will last for an extended period.
  • the U-shaped frame 12 progresses rearwardly from the position at which the fork 18 is supported.
  • the frame 12 connects at each of its ends 23 to a depending seat 24.
  • a preferred embodiment of the seat 24 is shown in the perspective view of FIG. 5.
  • the seat 24 may be molded from a material such as a plastic and is essentially, a one-piece member having a pair of ends 25, a seating surface 26, and a back 27.
  • the seating surface 26 and back 27 are contoured to fit the anatomy of a child.
  • the seat 24 is secured across the open ends 23 of the U-shaped frame 12 so that the seat 24 depends therefrom and just clears the ground below the frame 12.
  • Mounted to the seat 24 are a pair of rear wheels 28 positioned in a caster mount 30.
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the details of the mounting of the seat 24 to the frame 12 and of the rear wheels 28 to the seat 24.
  • Each of the rear wheels 28 is supported by the caster member 30 which includes a cover member 32 which is supported by and rotates in the seat member 24 by a generally cylindrical axle 34.
  • the axle 34 is slightly tapered so that it is actually frusto-conical in shape and fits into a similarly shaped cavity 36 passing through each of the ends 25 of the seat 24.
  • a nylon bearing 35 fits between axle 34 and cavity 36 so that the axle 34 rotates in cavity 36.
  • the axle 34 is secured to the seat 24 by an upper flange 38 which is secured to the axle 34 by a screw or rivet 40.
  • the center of the axle 34 and of the cavity 36 are concentric and slope slightly toward the rear from the vertical so that the cover 32 which carries the wheel 28 essentially follows the direction of the front wheel.
  • the cover 32 may be molded as shown in FIG. 4 from a nylon material to provide a substantial and sturdy cross section for supporting the wheel 28.
  • the cover 32 carries therein a pair of openings 40 which support an axle 42 for each wheel 28. Obviously, operation of the front wheel 20 causes the tricycle 10 to advance and the rear wheels 28 to function.
  • Each of the rear wheels 28 is mounted to seat 24 which is in turn mounted at the rear of the tricycle 10 to the ends 23 of the frame 12.
  • This mounting is accomplished, as may be seen in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, by a pair of upwardly extending flanges 46 encircling openings on each of the ends 25 each of which is adapted to mate with a cavity 48 along the bottom of the ends 23 of the frame 12.
  • four cavities 48 are provided in each end 23 so that the seat 24 may be moved forward and backward to provide a slightly different effective length for the U-shaped member 12 and, consequently, a slightly different fit for a child.
  • bolts 50 may be positioned in holes 44 and the seat 24 secured to the frame 12 by nuts 52.
  • all of the parts of the tricycle 10 may be constructed of well-known materials, such as moldable plastic, which are adapted to provide light weight and substantial strength.
  • the frame 12, the seat 24, and the fork 18 are all molded of high density polyethylene.
  • the cross-section of the frame 12 shown in FIG. 3 illustrates the hollow shell construction which provides extreme structural rigidity.
  • Each of the members 11 and 13, the seat 24, and the fork 18 is molded to have an outer shell surrounding a hollow interior so that the strength of this tubular form of construction is provided.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Automatic Cycles, And Cycles In General (AREA)
  • Carriages For Children, Sleds, And Other Hand-Operated Vehicles (AREA)
US06/012,527 1979-02-15 1979-02-15 Ride-on tricycle Expired - Lifetime US4327929A (en)

Priority Applications (10)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US06/012,527 US4327929A (en) 1979-02-15 1979-02-15 Ride-on tricycle
AU54680/80A AU5468080A (en) 1979-02-15 1980-01-17 Tricycle
IT8020556U IT8020556V0 (it) 1979-02-15 1980-01-22 Triciclo giocattolo.
IT19352/80A IT1130876B (it) 1979-02-15 1980-01-22 Triciclo giocattolo
BR8000446A BR8000446A (pt) 1979-02-15 1980-01-24 Triciclo e, veiculo para crianca
CA345,568A CA1127199A (en) 1979-02-15 1980-02-13 Ride-on tricycle
DE19803005312 DE3005312A1 (de) 1979-02-15 1980-02-13 Kinder-dreirad
DE19808003783U DE8003783U1 (de) 1979-02-15 1980-02-13 Kinder-dreirad
ES488574A ES488574A1 (es) 1979-02-15 1980-02-14 Un vehiculo triciclo perfeccionado
JP1675080A JPS55114673A (en) 1979-02-15 1980-02-15 Passenger tricycle

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US06/012,527 US4327929A (en) 1979-02-15 1979-02-15 Ride-on tricycle

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US4327929A true US4327929A (en) 1982-05-04

Family

ID=21755384

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US06/012,527 Expired - Lifetime US4327929A (en) 1979-02-15 1979-02-15 Ride-on tricycle

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US4327929A (it)
JP (1) JPS55114673A (it)
AU (1) AU5468080A (it)
BR (1) BR8000446A (it)
CA (1) CA1127199A (it)
DE (2) DE8003783U1 (it)
ES (1) ES488574A1 (it)
IT (2) IT1130876B (it)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5388847A (en) * 1992-01-03 1995-02-14 Equi-Cycle Corporation Rider propelled vehicle and drive assembly therefor
US5415422A (en) * 1994-04-19 1995-05-16 Equi-Cycle Corporation Rider propelled vehicle drive assembly
NL1016096C2 (nl) * 2000-09-04 2002-03-05 Teunis Karel Van Ee Stoelbevestiging.
US20040080139A1 (en) * 2002-10-23 2004-04-29 Joachim Kettler Tricycle
US20060022422A1 (en) * 2004-07-29 2006-02-02 Tasma Gerald W Trike swinger
US20090191788A1 (en) * 2008-01-25 2009-07-30 Timothy Seckel Caster mounting arrangement for ride-on toy
US20120043737A1 (en) * 2010-08-23 2012-02-23 Jeffrey Bricker Spin-out riding toy
US8820765B2 (en) 2011-07-01 2014-09-02 Radio Flyer Inc. Ride-on toy with adjustable seatback
USD828233S1 (en) 2015-03-06 2018-09-11 Radio Flyer Inc. Ride-on tricycle
USD1012198S1 (en) * 2022-12-16 2024-01-23 Shunkai Chen Toy tricycle

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE202004014978U1 (de) * 2004-09-23 2006-02-02 Füting, Hannes Dreirad
DE102011054270A1 (de) 2011-10-07 2013-04-11 Bernd Lepouse Laufrad

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2479538A (en) * 1949-03-07 1949-08-16 Midwest Ind Inc Vehicle
US3062559A (en) * 1959-06-16 1962-11-06 Robert B Hewitt Velocipede with two rear caster wheels
US3857583A (en) * 1973-05-18 1974-12-31 H Vanover Occupant propelled quadracycle
US3909043A (en) * 1974-04-08 1975-09-30 Marion Homer Black Three wheel vehicle

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2479538A (en) * 1949-03-07 1949-08-16 Midwest Ind Inc Vehicle
US3062559A (en) * 1959-06-16 1962-11-06 Robert B Hewitt Velocipede with two rear caster wheels
US3857583A (en) * 1973-05-18 1974-12-31 H Vanover Occupant propelled quadracycle
US3909043A (en) * 1974-04-08 1975-09-30 Marion Homer Black Three wheel vehicle

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5388847A (en) * 1992-01-03 1995-02-14 Equi-Cycle Corporation Rider propelled vehicle and drive assembly therefor
US5415422A (en) * 1994-04-19 1995-05-16 Equi-Cycle Corporation Rider propelled vehicle drive assembly
NL1016096C2 (nl) * 2000-09-04 2002-03-05 Teunis Karel Van Ee Stoelbevestiging.
EP1184273A1 (de) * 2000-09-04 2002-03-06 Teunis Karel Van Ee Stuhlbefestigung
US7044491B2 (en) * 2002-10-23 2006-05-16 Heinz Kettler Gmbh & Co. Kg Tricycle
US20040080139A1 (en) * 2002-10-23 2004-04-29 Joachim Kettler Tricycle
US20060022422A1 (en) * 2004-07-29 2006-02-02 Tasma Gerald W Trike swinger
US20090191788A1 (en) * 2008-01-25 2009-07-30 Timothy Seckel Caster mounting arrangement for ride-on toy
US8038160B2 (en) * 2008-01-25 2011-10-18 Radio Flyer Inc. Caster mounting arrangement for ride-on toy
US20120043737A1 (en) * 2010-08-23 2012-02-23 Jeffrey Bricker Spin-out riding toy
US8596649B2 (en) * 2010-08-23 2013-12-03 Radio Flyer Inc. Spin-out riding toy
US8820765B2 (en) 2011-07-01 2014-09-02 Radio Flyer Inc. Ride-on toy with adjustable seatback
USD828233S1 (en) 2015-03-06 2018-09-11 Radio Flyer Inc. Ride-on tricycle
USD1012198S1 (en) * 2022-12-16 2024-01-23 Shunkai Chen Toy tricycle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE8003783U1 (de) 1982-09-16
IT1130876B (it) 1986-06-18
AU5468080A (en) 1980-08-21
BR8000446A (pt) 1980-09-30
IT8019352A0 (it) 1980-01-22
ES488574A1 (es) 1980-10-01
JPS55114673A (en) 1980-09-04
CA1127199A (en) 1982-07-06
IT8020556V0 (it) 1980-01-22
DE3005312A1 (de) 1980-08-28

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